Handset telephone mounting



' H. F. OBERGFELL 2,428,091

Sept. 30, 1947. v HANDSET TELEPHONE MOUNTING Filed April 13, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

HERBERT F. OBERGFELL, DECEASED AMANDA o GFELL, EXEGUTRIX BY Z 6 Z v. WAII EY v Sept. 30, .1947. v H. F. O BERGF ELL I 2,428,091 HANDSET TELEPHONE YMOUN'IJIIING Filed April 15; 19.44

FIG. 6 WELD I VINVENTORAS HERBERT'EOBERGF pass so AMANDA BERGFELL,EXEGUTR|X ELL ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3Q, 1947 HANDSET TELEPHONE MOUNTING Herbert F. Obergfell, deceased, late of River Forest, 111.,

by Amanda Obergfell, executrix,

River Forest, Ill., assignor to Automatic Electric 7 Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application April 13, 1944, Serial No.5 30 fl60 This invention relates in general to improve- .ments in handset telephone mountings and more particularly to mountings that look the handset directly on the-telephone to prevent the displacement thereof.

- One object of the invention is the provision of a mounting arrangement to prevent the displacement of the handset under extreme conditions, such asshock or concussions.

One feature of the invention is the provision of means for manually releasing a portion of the vmounting means topermit easy removal of the handset by its user. V

A further feature of the invention is that the placing of the handset on its mountings is sufficient to cause the handset to be locked securely to the telephone set.

The foregoing object and features, and others not mentioned will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in

"which Fig. 1 is a front view ofa desk telephone showing the handset securely locked in normal position and illustratingthe invention,

Fig. 2 is a view taken from the right side of .Fig. 1 showing the lockin mechanism and hand- .set mounting with the handset removed.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view taken from the front of the telephone showing the main parts of the locking arrangement locatedon the right side of the telephone.

Fig. 4 is anexploded view taken from the top of the telephone showingall the parts of the locktelephone.

.Fig. 5 is a view taken from'the left side of Fig.

,1 showing thehandset mounting.

Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 5 taken from the right." Y

Fig.7 is atop view'of Fig. 6.

' There have been numerous devices invented for looking or holding a handset in a vertical position, or to a wall telephone set, but the present arrangementas shown in the drawings and de- "scribed in the specification, of looking a handset to a desk telephone is believed to be new and novel. The handset when locked to the desk telephone can be usedas a handle to carry the phone orplace the phone in any desirable position. Cup *shapedhands are provided on the right and left sides of the desk phone for supporting the ends of the'hand set as shown in Fig. 1. The transmitter portion l of the handset fits securely into t'heband 2 on the left side of the phone. The band 2 is designed to have the same contour as 11 Claims. (Cl..179.146)

.ing arrangement located on the right side of the the transmitter and is placed at an angle so as to securely hold that part of the handset. The receiver portion 3 of the handset fits securely into the band t on the right side of the telephone. This band 4 having the same contour as the receiver 3 and so designed that the pressure of the receiver on it will cause the band to move around its-pivot and release a locking lever '5 which will lock the :handset to the desk phone.

To remove .the; handset from the phone the user merely grasps the h andset -With the left hand and with the left thumb pushes the locking lever 5 upwards as seen in Fig. 1., When the locking lever is in its uppermost position, exerting a slightpressllre upwards onthe handset will cause the cup shaped band l .to move around its pivot .and permit .thereceiver.,portion of the handset to be withdrawn. After the receiver end has been Iraised sufficiently the transmitter end will slide out of the band Zand completely free the handset for use. .The lockin arrangement is simple to operate and positivein its action.

"Referring-now in detail to the drawings illus- .trating theinvention .in its preferred embodiinent. The handset support and locking mech- :anism shown on theright side of the desk phone in Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 2 and also shown in an exploded view, in Figs. 3 and 4, The cup shaped band 4 which inone of the pivoting members of thelockingmechanism, is fastened to the metal supportingfmember 6 by the pivot pin l which passes throughthe holes 8, 9, 8' and 9', the'pivot pin being flared at both ends in holes 1 8 and 8 iastening thepin'l tightly to the band 4. The pivot pin ,1 is frjee in the holes 9 and 9' to allow the band t to rotate freely with pivot pin 1 in holes 9 and 92. Securely fastened to the cup shaped band 4 is a inetalblock l0 curvedto fit the band as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This metal block Ill supports thelocking lever 5, the other "pivotin member-"of the lockingmechanism, when the handset is removed, as shown in Fig. 2.

: "Extending outward from the middle of band 4 is the actuating ann H as shown i Figs, 2, .3 and 4. This arm *l l is formed out 'of the same piece of metal as band '4. Securely fastened to the arm |'|lS'3,f( 31lIVe d flat metal-spring I2 which "the handset come intocontact with when the "handset is replaced on thetelephone. The pressure on the'sprin 1'1 by the handset causes the actuating arm ll tot-move the band 4 clockwise f on its pivot and 'to'move the block it] away from underneath "the locking lever thereby releasing the locking lever 5 The 'locking lever 5 will move downward under pressure of the tension 7 spring 2| and wedge itself between the sides of the lever rest I and the supporting member 6 as shown in Fig. 1. This action will cause the cup shaped band 4 to press tightly against part of the curved side surface of the receiver end of the handset. Also a part of the band 4 is an ear l3 extending out to the right as seen in Fig. 2. Attached to this ear is a coil tension sprin 33 which tends to pull the band 4 counterclockwise about its pivot toward the telephone so that when the locking lever 5 is manually moved upwards, and the handset lifted, the band 4 will move toward the telephone and the metal block ll) will be placed under the lever so as to hold the lever up and keep the mechanism ready for receiving the handset again.

The locking lever 5 is supported by a bushing l6 projecting out from the member 6 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and consists of a flat metal member. A sleeve bushing I5 is securely fastened to the locking lever 5 at the lower end as seen in Figs. 3 and 4 and fits over the bushing H3. The mounting screw it screws tight against bushing l6 and leaves the sleeve bushing 15 free to pivot around bushing 16.

To the right of the sleeve bushing 15 on the lower end of lever 5 and extending upwards, is an ear I! as shown in Fig. 2 to which is attached the coil tension spring 2| which exerts a pulling pressure on the lever 5 tending to rotate it counterclockwise around its pivot when viewed as in Fig. 2. The small metal stop H! which is riveted to the locking lever 5 just below the point where the lever bends sharply upwards, as shown in Fig. 2, prevents the lever from moving upward more than a predetermined distance. On the end of the locking lever 5 extending upwards as seen in Figs. 1 and 2 is a metal knob 28 securely fastened to the arm for easy handling of the locking lever 5 when it is to be manually operated. V

The supporting member 5 to which the locking lever 5 and the cup shaped band 4 are attached carries a mounting block l9 riveted by rivets 39 or welded to the bent-over upper portion of the supporting member as shown in Fig. 2. The mounting block l9 fits between the two posts 35 and 35 on the right side of the handset cradle or rest and has a hole 31 through which the switching spring operating plunger 38 moves. Two screws (not shown) that hold the switching springs on the inside of the telephone, screw into threaded holes on the under side of the mounting block l9 thereby holding the supporting member 6 securely to the telephone. The contour of the supporting member 6 closely follows the shape of the side of the telephone as shown in Fig. l. Extending outward to the right from the upper main portion of the supporting member is an ear 2!] to which is fastened one end of the tension spring 2| as shown in Fig. 2 Extending outward to the left from the upper main portion of the supporting member 6 is a portion 22 of the supporting member, the purpose of which is to limit the upward movement of the locking lever. The,

metal stop l8 on the lever :5 will contact the extending portion 22 as lever 5 is manually moved upward. Below the ear 20 of plate 3 and extending outward therefrom to the right and downward as seen in Fig. 2 is an arm 23 to which is fastened the bushing 16 upon which the locking lever 5 mounts. Directly below the bushing I5 is an ear 24 extending outward from the face of the arm 23. One end of the tension spring 33 is fastened to this car and the other end is fastened to ear l3 of the cup shaped band 4. From the lower portion of the supporting member 6 are formed the flanges 25 and 26 which are bent at right angles to the member 6 and extend outward away from the face thereof. A portion 21 of flange 25 extends straight out from the face of member 6 before curving downward. This straight portion 21 limits the downward movement of the locking lever. The holes 9 and 9' in flanges 25 and 26 support the cup shaped band 4 by means of the pivot pin 1 as previously described.

The handset mounting arrangement on the left side of the phone as seen in Fig. 1 consists of the supporting member 29 and the cup shaped band 2. The supporting member 29 has a mounting block 39 which is riveted by rivets 40 or welded to the bent over upper portion of the supporting member 29 as shown in Fig 6. The mounting block 39 fits between the two posts on the left side of the handset cradle in a manner similar to the mounting of block l9 and has a hole through which the switching spring operating plunger moves. From the lower portion of the supporting member 29 are formed the flanges 3|. These flanges are bent at right angles to the supporting member 29 and extend outward away from the face of member 29. To these flanges the bottom extending portions of the cup shaped band 2 are fastened either by riveting as shown in Fig. 6 or by welding the two portions together.

The cut away center portion 32 of the supporting member 29 permits the transmitter portion of the handset to fit securely in the cup shaped band 2 without having the handset mounting further out from the telephone.

In the middle and top of the curved portion of the cup shaped band a metal portion 34 extends upwards and bends sharply at an angle to the right as shown in Fig. 6. The metal portion 34 fits into a cut out portion of the supporting member 29 just below the point where the member 29 bends at right angles to the face (Fig. 6) and is welded to the member 29 at this point.

In order to remove the handset when the telephone is in normal condition with the handset locked securely to the telephone, the user grasps the handset with the left hand to lift the same and with the left thumb pushes the locking lever 5 upwards until the metal stop ill on the locking lever 5 contacts the extending portion 22 of the supporting member and stops the upward movement of the locking lever 5. As lever 5 rises it no longer prevents movement of band 4 and as the receiver portion is lifted upwards and as the handset pivots around the transmitter portion the cup shaped band 4 pivots towards the phone until the metal block [9 contacts the side of the supporting member 6. As the'receiver portion is lifted the handset pivots around the transmitter portion due to the cup shaped band 2 engaging the transmitter portion. When the handset is pivoted to approximately a 30 angle the transmitter portion will slide easily out of the cup shaped band 2 which will completely free the handset for use.

To replace the handset upon the telephone the handset is held at approximately a 30 angle so the transmitter is lower than the receiver. The transmitter is then inserted into the cup shaped band 2, and as the handset is lowered it pivots around the transmitter portion of the handset until it touches the flat curved metal spring I2 attached to the actuating arm H. The pressure of the receiver portion on the spring l2 causes the cu-p shaped band 4 to; pivot clockwise away fromthe phone. .As the bandy lmoves, the metal block l0. its-withdrawn; from underneath the looking lever. The;lever Ethan moves downward under pressure of spring 2! we'dging itself between the sides of the supporting member 6- and the metal block until it contactsthe'straight portion 21 of the flange Z-E; This action bythe locking leverS causes the pivotal cup shaped band 4-to-press;tightly against the curved side portion ofthe receiver and- .also causes the transmitter portion of-the handsetto press tightly against the cuptshaped band 2; The handset is securely locked to the-phoneand shocks, concus sions or dropping will not cause displacement of thehandset. Y I I I ;It will be noted that switching springoperati-ng Iplungers are associated with the mounting'block. i9 and withthe mounting block 30'. The operation of either one of .the plungers is sufficient to. causefthe complete operation of the switching springs. When the handset has been removed from the cradle the band 4 can be moved'jmanuallyfto withdraw the block l0 from underneath thelock lever 5. The lever 5 then moves downward under pressure of spring 2| wedgingitsel'f between the sides ofthe supporting member 6 and theblOck Hi. This actionby the locking 'leverhold's'the pivotal cup-shaped band 4' in a position which prevents its engagement with the receiver portion of the handset when the transmitmr portion of the handset is engaged with the cup-shaped bandj2; The looking device-can thus be madeineffe ctive when there is little probability of disturbances which might displace the handset, The handset" can be moved on or ofi the cradle for operating one of the plungers an'd' theswitching springs to permit full use of the telephone Withoutthe necessity of performing an unlocking operation each time the handset is. removed.

The locking'dev'ice can again be made effective by movingthe handset to a position. where the receiver portion of the handset Twill-not interfere with the movement of the pivotal cup-shaped band i. The lock lever 5 is then manually moved upwards until it disengages the metal block I0; The cup-shaped band 4 pivotstowards the phone until the metal block if]. contacts thesideof the supporting member 5; [When the manual controlof the lock lever 5 is removed the lever 5 then moves downward under pressure of spring 2| until it engages the metal block H1. The cupshaped band 4 is held in position for receiving and engaging the receiver portion of the handset after the engagement of the transmitter portion of the handset and the cup-shaped band 2 so that the handset can be locked to the telephone as previously described.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the applicant has devised a novel mounting arrangement for securely fastening the handset to the telephone. However the mounting arrangement is capable of employment in other and different forms Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cradle type telephone, a handset having a handle with transmitter and receiver units on the ends thereof, a plunger in the cradle for operating switching springs, a pivoted member on one side of the cradle, means tending to move said member into normal position to allow said handset to be placed in the cradle, said member engaged by one of said units when the handset 6 is placed on the cradle to move; thememb'er. about its=pi-vot, meansioperatedwhen the member'is so moved to prevent its return to normal position to thereby rigidly secure said handset to the cradle and in engagement withzsaid plunger.

2. In a cradletypedesk, telephonaa handset havinga; handle with transmitter and receiver unitsv on the endsthereof, a pivotal member on one side of the cradle, means tending to move said member into normal position to allow said handset'to be placed in the cradle, said member engaged by one of said units when the handset is placed on the'cradle to" move the member about its pivot, alever automatically operated when the member is so moved to engage said member and prevent its return to normal position to thereby rigidly secure said handset to thecrad'le. '3. Ina cradletype telephone having oppositely disposed cradle supports with an operating plunger in eachsupport, a handset including transmitter and receiver units-,a pair of retaining. members onefor each unit, each member supported by a block mounted in one of the cradle supports and through: which a plunger extends, e'achmember formed to correspondto the con:- tour of one oitheunits and engaging its associatedunit to lockthe handset in" place onthe cradle.- r 7,

4. It a cradle type telephone having: oppositelydisposed cradlesuppprts with an operating plunger in each support, a handset including. transmitter and receiverunits, a pair of retaining members one for eachunit, each mem-,-

ber supported by a block mounted in one of the cradle supports and through which a plunger extends, eachmember formed to correspond to the contour of one of the units and engaging its associated unit, a lock stop engaging one of said members to locl the handset in place on the cradle, said lockstop operable to, disengage said one member to unlock. said handset to perunit its removal from the cradle. a 5. In atelephoneinstrument, a handset hav ingtransmitter and. receiver-units thereon, a support for the. handset, switching means operated when the handsetis placedv on its support, locking means automatically operated when the handset is placed on the support for preventing its removal therefrom, said support permitting the fingers of one hand to grip the handset, saidlocking means operable by the thumb of said hand for releasing said handset, thereby permitting the removal of the handset from the support,

6. In a cradl type telephone, a handset having transmitter and receiver units on the ends thereof, a stationary element and a movable element which engage said units When the handset is placed on the cradle, a locking lever automatically engaging said movable element to maintain it in engagement with th handset when said handset is placed on the cradle to rigidly secure the handset to the cradle, said locking lever operated by the thumb of one hand to release the movable element while the fingers of said hand grip and move said handset, said movable element automatically operative when said lever is so operated and said handset so moved to hold said lever in said last position and to permit removal of the handset from the cradle.

'7. In a telephone instrument, a handset having transmitter and receiver units thereon, a cradle for the handset, a plunger for operating switching springs when said handset is placed on the' cradle, a stationary member and a pivoted member on opposite sides of said cradle, said stationary'member engaging one of said units and said pivoted member moved about its pivot by the other of said units to engage said other unit when the handset is placed on the cradle, locking means operated by the movement of said p d ber to maintain said pivoted member in engagement with said other unit to lock the handset to the telephone instrument and in engagement with said plunger, said locking means operated by the thumb of one hand to permit disen agement of said pivoted member and said other unit, the fingers of said hand gripping said handset and moving said other unit to disengage it from said pivoted member and remove the handset from the cradle.

'8. In a telephone instrument a cradle having oppositely disposed supports with an operating plunger in each support, a handset having a handle with transmitter and receiver units on the ends thereof, a stationary retaining member and a movable retaining member, each member supported by a block mounted in one of the cradle supports, each member formed to correspond to the contour of one of said units, said stationary member engaging one of the units when the handset is placed on the cradle to operate said plungers, said movable member moved to engage the other of said units when the handset is placed on the cradle to lock the handset in place on the cradle, and a lever operated by the thumb of one hand to unlock the handset, the fingers of'said hand gripping said handset and moving it to permit its removal from the cradle. 9. In a cradle type telephone, a handset hav-- ing a handle with transmitter and receiver units on the ends thereof, a plunger in the cradle for operating switching springs, a movable member on one side of the cradle, means tending to move said member to. normal position to allow said handset to be placed on the cradle, said member engaged by one of said units when the handset is placed on the cradle to move said member from normal position, means operated when the memher is so moved to prevent its return to normal position thereby rigidly securing said handset to the cradle and in engagement with said plunger, said last means manually operative to release said movable member permitting it to move to normal position when said handset is removed from the cradle.

10. In a telephone instrument, a handset having transmitter and receiver units thereon, a support for the handset, switching means operated when the handset is placed on its supp looking means automatically operated when the handset is placed on its support to lock the handset to th telephone instrument and in engagement with said switching means, said locking means including a manually operable lever for releasing said handset from the telephone instrument, said locking means manually operable to a locked Position when the handset is oiT its support to make said locking means inefiective to lock the handset to the telephone instrument,

thereby permitting th handset to be moved on or off its support for operating said switching means independent of the locking means, said lever manually operable to release said locking means from its manually operated position.

11. In a cradle type telephone, a handset having transmitter and receiver units on the ends thereof, a plunger in the cradle for operating switching springs, locking means for rigidly securing the handset to the cradle thereby providing means for lifting the telephone by the handset for moving the telephone to any desirable position, said locking means including a lever manually operable to release the handset to permit the removal thereof from the cradle, said locking means manually operable to a locked position when th handset is on the cradle to make said locking means ineffective for securing the handset to the cradle, said switching springs responsive to movement of the handset on or oi the cradle when said locking means is locked in its manually operated position.

. AMANDA OBERGFELL, Executrix 09 the Estate of Herbert F. Obergfell,

Deceased.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,355,464 Obergfell Aug. 8, 1944 2,193,536 Murdock Mar. 12, 1940 1,983,393 Obergfell Dec. 4, 1934 

